Correcting golf tee

ABSTRACT

A trajectory correcting golf tee constructed with a stem for inserting into the ground and for supporting a golf ball in a fixed position above the ground. The stem is tapered so as to easily insert into the ground in a generally vertical position. The golf tee further includes a top surface with a depression to accept and retain a golf ball. The improvement including an elevated portion along one or two opposing edges of the top surface so as to control and correct a golf ball trajectory.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the first application filed for the present invention.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates in general to golf tees, for example, a device tosupport a golf ball above the surface of the ground, and in particularthe invention relates to drive correcting tees.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most frustrating aspects of golf is a tee shot that hooks orslices. Although all shots taken from the fairway and putting can alsocause frustrations, a bad tee shot can set the player back. A lost ball,or having to correct from a bad lie can shake a player's confidence andmost certainly will cause additional strokes to be added.

For a right handed player, a hook occurs when a ball shifts from movingright to moving to the far left during flight, while a slice occurs whenthe trajectory changes from left to far right. For a left handed player,a slice occurs when a ball moves to the far left and a hook occurs whena ball moves to the far right. Hooks or slices are typically caused byimproperly gripping the club or an improper swing. They typically staywith a player for some time and it is difficult to correct from them.Less advanced golfers will inconsistently tee off in one direction oranother without understanding what they are doing to cause the ball totravel away from the intended direction.

The universally accepted golf tee is a simple tee comprising a stem thatis insertable into the ground with a depression in the top to accept andretain a golf ball. This tee holds the golf ball in an elevated positionabove the ground, prior to the tee shot, but does not correct thetrajectory of the traveling ball.

It is advantageous for a tee shot to project the golf ball straight downthe fairway and to travel the distance the player desires, for the mostpart this is as far as possible.

Many solutions have been proposed to achieve this. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 2,033,269, issued Mar. 10, 36 to Williams and U.S. Pat. No.3,506,263, issued Apr. 14, 70 to Arrington, disclose a shield or cupthat extends upward and shields the ball from the impact of the club.While these designs do make a difference to the spin imparted to theball, they may decrease the distance the ball will travel.

Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,027, issued on Mar. 30, 76 toBrown, proposes a tee with a projection extending outwardly for meetingthe golf club prior to the ball. This design supposedly imparts aninitial backward spin to the ball and may improve the flightcharacteristics of the ball and thus the distance traveled. It may alsobe difficult to properly use and thus will provide for inconsistentresults.

Yet another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,879, issued Jan. 11, 83 toMesser discloses a tee with arms for partially encircling andfrictionally gripping the golf ball to control the spin and trajectory.This design is fairly complex, the use requires thought andconsideration and it would likely not be permitted in tournaments.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,909, issued Dec. 6, 83 to Messana describes using anadhesive to hold the golf ball in place on the tee. Use of the adhesiveresults in providing anti-spin characteristics necessary to reduce ballhooks and slices. The adhesive must be applied to the tee in a suitablequantity and size to achieve the desired result.

Although all of the above patents describe a tee which may control spinand reduce hooks and slices they either decrease the distance the ballwill travel, provide inconsistent results or are complex to use andrequire planning prior to setting up the tee.

Clearly it is obvious that a simple to use tee which will provideconsistently straight drives without providing additional drag orresistance to the golf ball is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a golf teethat substantially obviates one or more of the problems due tolimitations and disadvantages of the related art.

In one object of the present invention there is provided a golf teewhich corrects the tendency of a ball to travel left or right andlaunches the golf ball in a straight path, improving the flighttrajectory.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention there is provided animproved golf tee including a lower end and an upper end, the lower endfor inserting into the ground, the upper end terminating at a topsurface with a depression shaped in the top surface, the depression foraccepting and retaining a golf ball. The top surface including at leastone elevated portion, each elevated portion located along one,substantially entire, edge of the top surface wherein the elevatedportion lies on either side of a golf ball and acts as an instant guideto the trajectory of the golf ball at play.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the top ofthe tee is square.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the elevatedportion is substantially one sixteenth ({fraction (1/16)}″) of an inchin height.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the elevatedportion is to one side of the depression and top surface.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided twoelevated portions, located along the edge of opposing sides of the topsurface.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention the stemis tapered along its length, producing a funnel shape, to permit easyinsertion into and removal from the ground.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided animproved golf tee comprising a four sided tapered stem for insertinginto the ground in a generally vertical position, the stem terminatingat a top surface and the top surface including a depression to acceptand to retain a golf ball, the top surface further including an elevatedportion located along one edge of the top surface, the elevated portionhaving a height substantially of one sixteenth of an inch.

An advantage of the present invention is that the tee promotes astraight trajectory of the ball, minimizing hooks and slices.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the tee corrects andpromotes a straight trajectory of the ball without providing additionalresistance and thus decreasing the distance traveled.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is the ease with whichthe tee may be used. Simply, the tee is inserted into the ground withthe elevated side on the side of the expected ball trajectory. Forexample, if the player tends to hook, ball moves to the left, then theelevated side is placed closest to the player. If the player tends toslice, ball moves to the right, then the elevated side is placedfarthest from the player. To be clear, the elevated side is not placedin front of or behind the ball.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is provided by thetapered shape of the stem. The taper, when inserted into the groundcreates a funnel shape opening in the ground. This shape reducesbreakage of the tee upon impact by the club and prolongs the useful lifeof the tee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tee of the present invention with atapered, funnel shaped stem.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tee of the present invention with auniversally accepted shape for the stem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT

Turning to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a golf tee designated generallyby the numeral 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention.The golf tee 10 includes a stem 12 for supporting a golf ball in a fixedposition above the ground. The golf tee 10 includes a tapered stem 12having a lower end 11 shaped substantially to a narrow point, allowingfor easy insertion into the ground in a generally vertical positionwhere a ball is to be played. The tapered stem 12 further including anupper end 13 terminating at a top surface 14. A circular depression orrecess 16 is shaped into the top surface 14 for accepting and retaininga golf ball in a fixed position prior to play.

The golf tee 10 further includes an elevated portion or flange 18 risingup from the edge of surface 14 along one side of the tee 10. Theelevated portion 18 providing an instant guide off the tee when the golfball is played or hit by a golf club. The elevated portion 18 controlsand corrects a golf ball trajectory.

The tee 10 may be round, square, rectangular or generally of any shapeproviding that the elevated portion or flange 18 is of sufficient length15 and height 17 to control and correct the golf ball trajectory withoutinterfering with the seating of the golf ball in the depression 16.Further, the elevated portion or flange 18 will be shaped so as tosubstantially follow the contour of the golf ball, when the golf ballsits in the depression 16, but not necessarily along the entire edge 15of the elevated portion 18.

Typical dimensions for the tee 10 are such that the golf ball is struckby the club before the tee is. In other words, the top surface of thetee 14, the largest horizontal dimension, is smaller than the diameterof the golf ball.

Preferably the top surface 14 of the tee 10 is square and isapproximately five eights of an inch (⅝″) on each side. The tee 10tapers to a sufficient dimension so as to be easily inserted into theground. The typical length for the tee 10 is approximately two and fiveeights inches (2 ⅝″).

For proper retaining of the golf ball the depression 16 in the topsurface 14 is approximately one half of an inch (½″) in diameter. As isunderstood by one skilled in the art, these dimensions are approximateand may vary without taking away from the advantages of the invention.

For ideal control, the elevated portion 18 is to be approximately onesixteenth ({fraction (1/16)}″) to three sixteenths ({fraction (3/16)}″)of an inch high with the ideal height being one sixteenth ({fraction(1/16)}″) to one eight (⅛″) of an inch. The elevated portion 18 may behigher, but with increased height the elevated portion 18 becomes lessstable and tends to chip. Further, with increased height the elevatedportion 18 interferes too much with the golf ball and may providefriction and decrease the distance the ball will travel. Flange heightsbelow one sixteenth ({fraction (1/16)}″) of an inch provide for lessconsistency in correction.

The elevated portion or flange 18 is of the same length 15 as the sideit is on. This is necessary to provide an instant guide off the tee whenthe ball is played. If the tee 10 is round the elevated portion orflange 18 must substantially be the same length or more as the diameterof the top surface 14 of the tee. It is necessary for the elevatedportion 18 to be straight and not include an arc portion. This isdesirable so as not to provide further friction or hindrance to the golfball when it is struck by a club.

The width 17 of the elevated portion 18 may vary, but preferable is keptto approximately two to three sixteenths of an inch ({fraction (2/16)}″to {fraction (3/16)}″) in order not to introduce bulk to the tee 10.

Elevated portion 18 may be placed on opposing sides of the tee 10, forexample, when in play, on the left and right sides of the golf ball.When two elevated portions 18 are present on the same tee 10, the tee 10tends to be larger, bulkier and may not be accepted for use intournaments or on certain golf courses. Further it is not necessary tohave elevated portions 18 on opposing sides of the depression 16 as aperson tends to slice or hook, drive right or left, and typically doesnot do both.

In use, the tee 10 is inserted into the ground at a desired location fortee off. The tee 10 is inserted to a depth desired by the player. Thetee 10 may be marked with notches, straight marks 19 or other marksalong the stem 12 in order to facilitate insertion to a constant depthas selected by the player. The tee 10 is inserted so that the length ofthe elevated portion 18 is in the same direction as the desired shot.For example, if the player wishes to hit the golf ball to the center ofthe fairway the length of the elevated portion 18 should be aimed at thecenter of the fairway. Further if the player tends to drive right, slicefor the right handed player and hook for the left handed player, theelevated portion 18 is to be placed on the right side of the ball, awayfrom the player for a right handed player and closest to the player fora left handed player. Alternatively, if the player tends to drive left,hook for the right handed player and slice for the left handed player,the elevated portion 18 is to be placed on the left side of the ball,closest to the player for a right handed player and away from the playerfor a left handed player.

The tee 10 may be construction of any material such as wood, plastic,ceramic or other material. Preferably the tee 10 is constructed of wood,as wood is degradable. Hard maple is ideal for tees 10 where reducedbreakage and longer life is desirable. If made of wood, the tee may bepainted in various colors, finished with a durable plastic coating orother finishing product or left natural.

Turning to FIG. 2 there is depicted an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention. The golf tee 20 includes a body 21 having a lowerportion 22 and an upper portion 23, the body 21 for supporting a golfball in a fixed position above the ground. The lower portion or stem 22having a universally accepted shape for inserting into the ground. Theupper portion 23 is contiguously shaped from the top of the stem 22being generally larger than the stem 22, and terminating at a square topsurface 24. A circular depression 26 is shaped into the top surface 24for accepting and retaining a golf ball.

The golf tee 20 further includes an elevated portion or flange 28 risingup from the edge of top surface 24 along one side. The elongated portion28 provides an instant guide off the tee 20 when the golf ball isimpacted by a golf club. Although FIG. 2 shows a tee 20 with asubstantially square upper portion 23 and top surface 24, it is to beunderstood that the top surface 24 and upper portion 23 may besubstantially round, rectangular or of another shape.

In these alternative embodiments, the height of the elongated portion 28is to be approximately one sixteenth ({fraction (1/16)}″) to threesixteenths ({fraction (3/16)}″) of an inch high with the ideal heightbeing one sixteenth ({fraction (1/16)}″) to one eight (⅛″) of an inch.Further, the length of the elongated portion 28 must substantially bethe same length as the top surface in order to guide the ball adequatelyinto a straight trajectory. For a golf tee with a substantially roundupper portion 23 and top surface 24, the length of the elongated portion28 must approximate the diameter of the top surface 24.

The embodiment(s) of the invention described above are intended to beexemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to belimited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

1. An improved golf tee including a lower end and an upper end, thelower end for inserting into the ground, the upper end terminating at atop surface with a depression shaped in the top surface, the depressionfor accepting and retaining a golf ball, the improvement comprising: thetop surface including at least one elevated portion, each elevatedportion located along one, substantially entire, edge of the top surfacewherein the elevated portion lies on either side of a golf ball and actsas an instant guide to the trajectory of the golf ball at play.
 2. Theimproved golf tee as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elevated portion issubstantially one sixteenth of an inch in height.
 3. The improved golftee as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elevated portion is less thanthree sixteenths but more than one sixteenth of an inch in height. 4.The improved golf tee as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the topsurface is generally square.
 5. An improved golf tee as claimed inclaims 1 or 2 wherein the lower end is funnel shaped.
 6. The improvedgolf tee as claimed in claim 1 wherein the golf tee is tapered along itslength and terminating substantially to a point for easy inserting intothe ground.
 7. The improved golf tee as claimed in claims 1 or 2 whereinthe lower portion of the golf tee is shaped as a universally acceptedtee.
 8. The improved golf tee as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein thetee is made of wood.
 9. An improved golf tee including a tapered stemfor inserting into the ground in a generally vertical position, the stemterminating at a top surface and the top surface having a depression foraccepting and retaining a golf ball, the improvement comprising: the topsurface including at least one elevated portion, each elevated portionlocated along one, substantially entire, edge of the top surface whereinthe elevated portion lies on either side of a golf ball and acts as aninstant guide to the trajectory of the golf ball at play.
 10. Theimproved golf tee as claimed in claim 9 wherein the elevated portion issubstantially one sixteenth of an inch in height.
 11. The improved golftee as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein the stem has four sides.
 12. Animproved golf tee comprising a four sided tapered stem for insertinginto the ground in a generally vertical position, the stem terminatingat a top surface and the top surface including a depression to acceptand to retain a golf ball, the top surface further including an elevatedportion located along one edge of the top surface, the elevated portionhaving a height substantially of one sixteenth of an inch.
 13. Theimproved golf tee as claimed in claim 12 wherein the stem is taperedalong its length and terminating substantially to a point for easyinserting into the ground.
 14. The improved golf tee as claimed in claim12 wherein the elevated portion occupies substantially the entire oneedge of the tee.
 15. The improved golf tee as claimed in claim 12wherein elevated portions of similar heights are provided on opposingsides of the top surface.